Betty-Morais-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary - Toledo

Betty Morais

Guest Book

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Dear Peter and Nina,

Your mother was a fabulous woman whom I remember with great fondness. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Betty was my neighbor for the past 3 years... she was a lovely lady and I will miss her very much...

Working with Betty at Planned Parenthood and OEO was a great delight. She used her fine mind and big heart and boundless energy to improve the quality of life for all the citizens of our community. Toledo was much blessed by her leadership.

in God's care rest in peace

I was so sorry to read of Betty's passing and want to express my heartfelt sympathy to you Peter. I was sorry not to talk with you again. Know that my thoughts are with you atthis sad time. Love, Nan

Our deepest sympathies to the entire family.

I had the great Honor and privilege of meeting Betty and working for her for 7 wonderful years. Betty was not only an outstanding Boss but a truly a great friend to me. I have had many people in my life inspire me but without question Betty is at the top of that list. Betty feared NO one if she believed in an issue or a cause their was no stopping her. I so loved her tenacity and energy for life. Everyone should be so blessed to have a Betty Morais touch their life. Peace be with Betty...

I worked with Betty during her tenure at EOPA and we always remembered that time fondly when we saw each other over the years. One of her other great accomplishments was her service as one of the initial founders of Connecting Point, which served at-risk youth for over 20 years. Betty was a fighter and a champion for women and children. I respected her, and she was a great person to work with. Our community has lost a shining light.

Betty was truly a role model for those of us who had the privilege of knowing her and calling her 'friend.' She stood out at every event or meeting she attended...I always found myself seeking her out to say hello and catch up on important issues. She was awarded an Access to Justice Award for her great work on behalf of low-income women in our community. Our community has lost a great advocate.

Obituary

Betty's Obituary

Betty Morais, longtime executive director of Planned Parenthood of Northwest Ohio, died peacefully at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on May 14, 2013. She was 90.Betty joined Planned Parenthood as executive director in 1972. Her 18-year tenure included construction of a new downtown facility and satellite clinics devoted to women's health and family planning in suburban Toledo, Bowling Green, Findlay, and Fremont. Betty, along with the organization's board and medical team, also expanded services to include cancer screenings and dynamic education programs, winning the Planned Parenthood Federation's national award for services during the 1980s. Following her retirement, Betty helped found Community Shares of Northwest Ohio, a charity that raises funds in the workplace for local organizations that are not supported by larger workplace charities.Betty was born in Minneapolis in 1923 and grew up in a close-knit family of cousins and grandparents. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother was a piano teacher whose volunteer work included starting a lakeside summer camp for urban children in the 1930s. Betty graduated from the University of Minnesota and received a master's degree in personnel psychology from Ohio State, after which she worked in New York City for the Adjutant General's Office of the U.S. Army.Arriving in Toledo in 1947, Betty joined the former Lasalle's department store as a personnel manager. By the 1960s, her volunteer work became almost full time, as she devoted herself to the League of Women Voters, to Toledo's series of Book Mart fundraising events, and to establishing child-care and after-school programs for disadvantaged kids. She also worked for several years at the Economic Opportunity Planning Association, Toledo's branch of the Federal government's Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1950, Betty married Harold Morais, who was director of store planning for Lasalle's. Harold died in 1999, and their younger son, Anthony, died in 2009. Betty is survived by her daughter, Nina deCordova, and her son, Peter Morais.Betty asked that any tributes be in the form of contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio; Toledo Area Humane Society; or ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). A celebration of her life will be announced. Her family would like to thank Betty's recent caregivers, Karin Duncan and Mike Ferner; care navigator Kathleen Hinds, RN, and the office of Dr. Elizabeth Ford.

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